- 1 -

English 1302 Syllabus (Winter 2019)

Instructor: Caleb N Humphreys Office: Reese, Building 3, #318A

EMAIL: chumphreys@southplainscollege.edu Phone: (806) 716-2537

*Email is the best way to contact me.

Contact The best way to contact me is via email (see above). However, if you have any issues, we can make other

arrangements, like Skype or another messaging service. If you have problems, simply contact me. I’m

here to help.

I work hard to reply to emails within 24 hours Monday- Friday. I typically do not check my email on the

weekends as I try to have a life.

Catalog Description “This course is a continuation of ENGL 1301 and an intensive study of and practice in the strategies and

techniques for developing researched-based expository and persuasive texts along with being an

introduction to literature. The course emphasizes effective and ethical rhetorical inquiry, including

primary and secondary research methods; critical reading of a sampling of literary, verbal, visual, and

multimedia texts; systematic evaluation, synthesis, and documentation of information sources; and

critical thinking about evidence and conclusions.” (South Plains College Academic Catalog)

Course Purpose English 1302 has a two-fold purpose: it encourages critical writing by introducing the students to

research and writing from sources, and it introduces the students to the study of literature, including

short stories, drama, and poetry.

Required Text There is no required textbook for this class as all of the readings will be available online. However,

almost all of the readings can be found in the following:

Delbanco, Nicholas, and Alan Cheuse. Literature: Craft and Voice. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012.

Print.

ISBN-13: 978-0073384924 ISBN-10: 0073384925

- 2 -

Objectives and Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

Demonstrate knowledge of individual and collaborative research processes.

Develop ideas and synthesize primary and secondary sources within focused academic

arguments, including one or more research-based essays.

Analyze, interpret, and evaluate a variety of texts for the ethical and logical uses of evidence.

Apply critical thinking to the study of literature and write essays which demonstrate that critical

thinking.

Use edited American English to write in a style that clearly communicates meaning, builds

credibility, and inspires belief or action.

Apply the conventions of style manuals for specific academic disciplines (e.g., APA, CMS, MLA,

etc.)

Read and view videos of works of literature; analyze the use of literary devices (plot, point of

view, theme, characterization, setting, symbolism, tone, etc.); participate in class discussions of

the readings; and be tested over their understanding of the readings and lectures through

quizzes, examinations, and/or written assignments.

Essays You will write several essays. The essays written in this course will start in draft form. The rough draft of

an essay will only be graded for completion. This will give you the chance to practice the writing process

and to improve on the essay through workshopping with peers, suggestions from the instructor, and

self-analysis. The second draft will be graded.

Course Work Song Lyric Assignment 5% Poetry Explication 10% Researched Literary Argument 20% Essay Drafts and Reviews 10% Misc. Homework 25% Exams (10% each) 30%

Grade Availability As this is an online course, you will always have access to your current grades. Simply click on the My

Grades link to view individual assignment grades and your current course grade. You should check your

grades weekly.

- 3 -

Grading Timeline Major assignments will be graded within a few days. However, they may take up to a week to be graded. As soon as assignments are graded, they will be available under the My Grades tab.

Submitting Essays You will submit papers and reading responses under the Writing Assignments tab on Blackboard.

Papers must be saved and submitted as Microsoft Word files (.doc or .docx). These are the only

formats that Turnitin will readily accept.

If I can’t open your file, it will receive a zero.

All written work must be formatted according to MLA style. (See link under the Links tab and

MLA Handout under the Handouts tab.)

Once your paper has been graded, you will be able to view my feedback.

Late Work Policy In order to treat all students fairly, late work will not be accepted in this course, unless there are

extreme circumstances. All major assignment due dates are on the Course Schedule. See below.

Methods of Evaluation Student work is evaluated by means of A, B, C, D, and F: Superior, Good, Average, Poor, and Unacceptable. Numerical grades are assigned for convenience in averaging grades only. Essays and writing assignments will be evaluated according to the following criteria: 1. Use of the conventions of standard grammar. 2. Use of the appropriate method of development for the assignment. 3. Use of the principles of unity and coherence. 4. Use of logical, factual arguments to advance the thesis of the assignment.

Academic Integrity The guidelines set forth in the South Plains College catalog will be followed. From the catalog: Cheating: Dishonesty of any kind on examinations or on written assignments, illegal possession of examinations, the use of unauthorized notes during an examination, obtaining information during an examination from the textbook or from the examination paper of another student, assisting others to cheat, alteration of grade records, illegal entry or unauthorized presence in an office are examples of cheating. Complete honesty is required of the student in the presentation of any and all phases of course work. This applies to quizzes of whatever length, as well as to final examinations, to daily reports and to term papers. Plagiarism: Offering the work of another as one’s own, without proper acknowledgment, is plagiarism; therefore, any student who fails to give credit for quotations or essentially identical expression of

- 4 -

material taken from books, encyclopedias, magazines and other reference works, or from the themes, reports or other writings of fellow student, is guilty of plagiarism. Plagiarism is another word for academic dishonesty and is a form of theft. All of the writing and the ideas in your writing (e.g., journals) must be your own. Any attempt to pass off the work of someone else as your own will result in an F for the course. Failure to comply with this policy will result in a ‘0’ (no credit) for the assignment and can result in an “F” for the course if circumstances warrant. Please note that essays cannot be “recycled” – reusing previous essays that you have written is still a form of academic dishonesty. All writing in this class must be new and original.

Turnitin Work and essays written MUST be submitted to Turnitin via Blackboard. An unfavorable Turnitin report may result in a zero for the assignment. A failure to upload to Turnitin will result in a zero for the written work, regardless of quality.

Blackboard, Internet Access, and Word Processors Blackboard is the website host for our class, where you are able to view and access homework, view and print out class PowerPoint lessons, check your grades, view the syllabus, and utilize additional links. You will need internet access and a word processor to complete your homework assignments. If you do not have a computer or reliable internet access, you will need to plan time into your weekly schedule to use the SPC computer labs on the Levelland, Reese, or ATC campuses or find a computer with reliable, fast internet access and a word processor that you can use on a regular basis. Access our Blackboard course from the SPC homepage: http://www.southplainscollege.edu/ or at:

https://southplainscollege.blackboard.com. Frequently, you will need to view PowerPoint presentations and Microsoft Word files, as found under the Course Content tab. In order to fully participate in the course, you will need access to Microsoft Office. SPC provides Office 365 for free for all students. You can download the programs here:

https://office.com

Reading Assignments Assigned reading is a requirement for this course. Readings will be assigned every day. Any information discussed in the assigned reading may be included in your exams, even if it was not explicitly mentioned in the lecture or PowerPoints.

Reading Quizzes and Discussion Boards It is especially important that you read the assigned texts. Therefore, in order to ensure that you are keeping up with the readings, you will be required to complete reading quizzes or submit discussion board posts on Blackboard. Be sure, before taking the tests, to read each text carefully. You will not

- 5 -

have time, once the quiz begins, to look up answers. These reading quizzes cannot be made up and will not be accepted late.

Attendance Policy If you have not logged into the course by the second class day (December 17th), your access to the course will be blocked and the Registrar’s Office will remove you from the class roster. I recommend that you access English 1302 daily Monday through Friday to complete the day’s tasks or assigned readings. To be successful, do NOT procrastinate and do NOT fall behind.

Online Etiquette Since you are college students, you are expected to conduct yourselves professionally. Be Respectful. Show respect to yourself, your classmates, and your instructor. Be courteous and professional in all of your written communication. Any student who displays rude or confrontational behavior will be permanently blocked from the course.

Tips for Success 1. Professional Writing. Your written work and communication should reflect that you are in a

composition course. All essays should be written in scholarly, Standard Academic English. 2. Communicate. If you do not understand the assignment, call or email me. I am here to help you!

However, try to contact me in a timely fashion. Do not email me the night before an assignment is due. I work hard to respond to emails within 24 hours, except on the weekends.

3. Be Organized. Give yourself enough time to complete each assignment. Do not fall behind in the course.

4. Be Studious. Internet courses require self-discipline, organization, and motivation. You need to set aside time each day to “attend” this class.

Note to Students with Disabilities Students with disabilities, including but not limited to physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities, who wish to request accommodations in this class should notify the Disability Services Office early in the semester so that the appropriate arrangements may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting accommodations must provide acceptable documentation of his/her disability to the Disability Services Office. For more information, call or visit the Disability Services Office at Levelland (Student Health & Wellness Office) 806-716-2577, Reese Center (Building 8) 806-716-4675, or Plainview Center (Main Office) 806-716-4302 or 806-296-9611.

Diversity Statement In this class, the instructor will endeavor to establish and support an environment that values and nurtures individual and group differences and encourages engagement and interaction. Understanding and respecting multiple experiences and perspectives will serve to challenge and stimulate all participants to learn about others, about the larger world, and about themselves.

- 6 -

Statement of Non-Discrimination As your instructor, I do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status. You can find SPC’s Non-Discrimination Policy Statement online.

**Note: The instructor reserves the right to modify the course syllabus, policies, and schedule at any point

during the semester. Students will be notified of any changes.

- 7 -

Schedule

Note: This is NOT your homework calendar; it is a brief overview of the material the course will

cover. This is a tentative schedule, so the course may deviate from this if I deem it necessary.

There will be weekly readings and assignments.

However, ALL of the major assignments in the course are scheduled below. These due dates will

NOT change.

Week 1

M, 12/16 – Welcome to 1302! Plagiarism Review, MLA Format, Summary VS Analysis, Intro to Poetry, Poetic Elements, Essay Writing 101. T, 12/17 – Spoken Word, Symbolism, Voice/Tone, The Writing Process, Using Evidence, Writing the Song Lyric Essay W, 12/18 – Writing the Song Lyric Essay (continued), Structure and Forms of Poetry, Word Choice.

Song Lyric Essay due by 11:59pm

TH, 12/19 – Writing the Poetry Explication, Reading and Writing about Poetry F, 12/20 – Poetry (continued), Intro to Drama, Intro to Oedipus, Intro to Conflict, Characters

Poetry Exam due by 11:59pm Poetry Explication Rough Draft due by 11:59pm

S, 12/21 – Peer Review due by 11:59pm Sun, 12/22 – Poetry Explication Final Draft due by 11:59pm

Week 2

M, 12/23 – Oedipus (continued), Tragic Heroes, Intro to Conflict (All homework from this due will be due on 12/26)

T, 12/24 – Oedipus (continued), Intro to Fiction, Short Stories W, 12/25 – No class. (That said, if you want to work ahead….) TH, 12/26 – Short Stories (continued), Intro to Research

- 8 -

F, 12/27 – Short Stories (continued), The Research Paper

Oedipus Exam due by 11:59pm

Week 3

M, 12/30 – Short Stories (continued), Writing the Research Paper T, 12/31 – Short Stories (continued), Writing the Research Paper

Research Paper Rough Draft due by 11:59pm W, 1/1 – No class. (But you can work ahead… You should be working on the Research Paper.)

TH, 1/2 – Short Stories (continued), The Revision and Editing Process

Peer Review due by 11:59pm F, 1/3 – Short Stories (continued)

Research Paper Final Draft due by 11:59pm

Sun, 1/5 – Final Exam due by 11:59pm